The Trump administration has announced a sweeping new immigration policy that allows the US government to cancel the visas of foreign nationals for even minor legal infractions, escalating its hardline stance on immigration.
Unveiled by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the April 30 State Department newsletter, the "Catch and Revoke" directive institutes a one-strike rule for all non-citizens residing or visiting the United States legally. “Whenever the government catches non-US citizens breaking our laws, we will take action to revoke their status,” Rubio said.
While the policy emphasizes revocation for crimes like assault and domestic violence, critics warn its vague language could lead to disproportionate enforcement. “They stripped student visas from people for speeding tickets,” said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council. “Now they're suggesting they'll do the same to everyone.”
The directive particularly targets foreign students alleged to support Hamas or join pro-Palestinian campus protests. Rubio linked the crackdown to what he described as Biden-era failures to safeguard Jewish students. “They allowed campus buildings to be overrun by violent thugs,” he wrote.
Rubio defended the policy as necessary and overdue. “A visa is a privilege, not a right,” he stated, contrasting the new strategy with what he called the Biden administration’s “Catch and Release” approach to immigration enforcement.
The move coincides with an executive order requiring universities to disclose all foreign funding sources or risk losing federal support—another measure aimed at tightening oversight on international students.
Legal pushback is already underway. Courts have forced the State Department to reverse several visa cancellations, and more challenges are expected in the coming weeks.
Unveiled by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the April 30 State Department newsletter, the "Catch and Revoke" directive institutes a one-strike rule for all non-citizens residing or visiting the United States legally. “Whenever the government catches non-US citizens breaking our laws, we will take action to revoke their status,” Rubio said.
While the policy emphasizes revocation for crimes like assault and domestic violence, critics warn its vague language could lead to disproportionate enforcement. “They stripped student visas from people for speeding tickets,” said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council. “Now they're suggesting they'll do the same to everyone.”
The directive particularly targets foreign students alleged to support Hamas or join pro-Palestinian campus protests. Rubio linked the crackdown to what he described as Biden-era failures to safeguard Jewish students. “They allowed campus buildings to be overrun by violent thugs,” he wrote.
Rubio defended the policy as necessary and overdue. “A visa is a privilege, not a right,” he stated, contrasting the new strategy with what he called the Biden administration’s “Catch and Release” approach to immigration enforcement.
The move coincides with an executive order requiring universities to disclose all foreign funding sources or risk losing federal support—another measure aimed at tightening oversight on international students.
Legal pushback is already underway. Courts have forced the State Department to reverse several visa cancellations, and more challenges are expected in the coming weeks.
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